January 13, 2007 - 7 Night Magic Western

[DiaLady]

Well, we met our aspirations of being packed and ready to go by New Year's Day. We even made our door sign.

Denise, you are an inspiration!!! I'm still working to get all the Christmas decorations back into their boxes (doing a little every day). Sadly I've spent the past week or so fighting a nasty sore throat and then chest cold. Today is the first day since Christmas that I feel almost normal. I has been relaxing this weekend to just rest. I actually read the entire first book of ERAGON, too (very relaxing).

So tomorrow starts that rush to get things in place and figure out if there are any minor things we need like socks for the boys . . .LOL. I'm going to buy them an extra set of toothbrushes that we'll have packed and use especially for the trip. That way I won't forget to back them the morning we leave (I've done this quite a number of times . . .LOL).

Oh and the kids have not had any break from homeschooling. Since we'll have nearly 2 weeks off for vacationing, it didn't seem right to take off for Christmas break, too. They were not happy to do school today, but hey .. they didn't get started until nearly noon . . .

DH and I were talking about the meets. He's game for the one in the terminal and the one at the sail away (we usually go up to Deck 10 anyway). Otherwise, we wants to play it by ear. Can't wait to meet everyone.

Does anyone else have a 12 yo boy or 10 yo boy who'd like to email for the next 12 days? Both my boys wish they could chatter with someone.

Off to work . . .

Have a super New Year's Night!

Theresa

 

[Ginny]

CEPMOM -

I have purchased baskets for three cruises from the Perfect Gift for my family and one for some DIS friends with whom we have developed a close friendship. The baskets are simply incredible and the wrapping is so festive and really attention grabbing.

On our first few Disney cruises, we purchased from DCL and everything arrived stapled in a DCL Treasure Ketch bags BUT when we switched to Shirley, it was a definite step up.

Plus, you speak with Shirley directly and she gives great guidance and just "adopts" everyone with whom she and Norm do business.

In Grand Cayman, on our last Western, we easily made our 0930 ressie with Native Way Watersports. I was worried because it wasn't a DCL sponsored excursion but we did great and Sharon was waiting for us. Lots of others had booked with CAPT Marvin and no one had problems with the timing, as I recall.

With that said, we usually get into lines early to wait for the tenders. I tend to play it safe!

I am getting so excited. We celebrated DD's 12th birthday last night (She's a New Year's Eve baby) She is just over the moon about the cruise. It is so much fun for me to see both she and DH getting excited. Erin, too, spent the Christmas Break doing schoolwork to get a jump on what she'll be missing.......Today was devoted to her Science Fair Project!!

10 days and counting!!

 

[cepmom]

skylynx...wow! packed already!!! I am impressed. I started ironing some of our things to pack....I'm not really sure why I iron first as things will be wrinkled when we arrive anyway .

My goal is to be packed except for the last minute things by the end of this week. Going shopping tomorrow to get some items we need then hopefully I'll be all set to pack it all. I too am concerned about a possible snowstorm leaving us stranded. I want to be ready to go if we need to fly out a little earlier than planned.

Ginny ~ you have convinced me to call Shirley tomorrow. I think it will be a cool addition to our surprise for the girls.

 

[Colorado Mom]

Bytor01
Happy New Year fellow Disboarders...Well, we met our aspirations of being packed and ready to go by New Year's Day. We even made our door sign.

show off

We are packing here, making sure clothes still fit and everyone has enough underpants and all that. We bought sun screen yesterday and waiting on lots of stuff to be delivered. And now the family is finally thinking they should see what we are going to do at the ports so we looked at a lot of web sites and booked an excurtin at Grand Caymen.

 

[cutie pie]

Does anyone know yet if there are 10-13 yo dd to pm my 12 dd so they can get to know eachother before they go? We are all so excited!!

 

[DiaLady]

Does anyone know yet if there are 10-13 yo dd to pm my 12 dd so they can get to know eachother before they go? We are all so excited!!

My 12 yo is a ds . . .seems like there are a lot more girls on this trip . . . We're excited, too . . .In fact, it's only 11 AM and the boys are almost done with their schoolwork (usually takes until 1 or 2 pm)!!!

 

[pdarrah]

Hi Everyone,

We had a busy weekend - our holiday party was on Saturday afternoon/evening - so we cleaned house (and cooked) ALL day before it and then had guests from around 3:30 to 10:00pm and then cleaned up most of the food and stuff. The party was fun, but it sure was hard work this time! On Sunday, I was too exhausted to do much of anything - our big New Year's bash was going over to a neighbor's home who has a 60" TV to watch football. (Poor DH was bored to tears - I can't even remember when he last watched an entire football game.)

Yesterday, we finally started getting back on track. We finished the last of the party cleanup and started a little bit of cruise packing. Hopefully, we'll get most of the packing done in the next couple of days before DS7 gets home (Thursday night). Tonight I am forcing DH to take me out to dinner - it's the first time in 7 years we have been kid-less for my birthday! But, after dinner we'll probably work on some more packing...

Our port plans were settled long ago: We are going to visit the Pirate Museum in Key West (on our own), we are going with Capt. Marvins at Grand Cayman (1/2 day trip 10am-1pm), and we are snorkeling with Eagle Ray Divers in Cozumel. Is anyone else doing any of these and want to walk/taxi together to get to them?

Thank you to whoever mentioned Shirley's baskets! I hadn't taken care of that yet and we have had one for both of our previous cruises. She does a fantastic job. I am going to have her do one primarily for DS7 (but with a few diet-cokes thrown in for DH to have in the room). She uses a sand bucket as the "basket" if you request it and that is so much nicer than trying to pack one. Our past cruises included DH's birthday, so I have always had her do 2 baskets before...

Are there any 7 years olds that would like to exchange some last minute emails of PM's when DS gets back on Thursday? For months, he has been checking with me every few days to find out if any more kids his age have joined the Who's Going list. He tends to make friends just as easily with boys and girls, so any 7 year old who would like to start making friends before the cruise starts would be great.

Lastly, does anyone want to update their Who's Going info (or get added to the list)? I'm still keeping it up to day and will try to do so up until the day before we fly out. We fly on January 11th, so I'll keep doing updates through the 10th. I always print the Who's Going page and bring it with me since it helps me keep track of who is who once we start meeting the faces behind the names.

Oops - one more thing -does anyone need any help printing the "DISer on Board" door sign that wants one? I can always print a couple extra and bring them to the DIS Meets on board if needed....

pdarrah

 

[cepmom]

Hi pdarrah~
Your DS sure is one lucky kid! Going to Mexico and then a cruise?? We should all be so lucky Enjoy your birthday dinner tonight and

We are doing the 1/2 day with Captain Marvin's also so we'd love to walk over there together. What time do you think we should try to head out? I've never had to tender at a port before so I'm not sure how long to expect it to take.

What other type of stuff do you get in one of Shirley's baskets? I haven't had time to call her today, but she is on my "to do" list for tomorow for sure.

 

[Colorado Mom]

We are doing the pirate museum at Key west, but also the Ripleys, southernmost point and a few other stops... thinking about the trolly tour but not sure how much it covers what we are interested in.
At Grand Caymen I booked the basic tour through Disney, just hell and the turtle farm. That way if I get too sea sick the husband can take the kids and I know they will all make it back because Disney is in charge.
At Cozumel we are doing a beach day at Paradise beach.

I hadn't realized that we aren't on the list..... We are Deb, Bryan, Keighton-14 and Taylor-11. We have late seating and have a veranda room ( I am SOO excited about the verandah!)
We are flying in friday night, but the kids Grandparents are meeting us at the hotel, spending the night and having breakfast with us sat. morning before we head out. Last time we got to port pretty early but not sure this time. This is the ex's parents and the only time they get to see the kids so they like to take as much time as they can.

And ya know what... Now I have been saying.. next week I go on my cruise and I LOVE the way it sounds!!

 

[cepmom]

At Cozumel we are doing a beach day at Paradise beach.

we're doing Paradise Beach too...none of the Disney excursions appealed to us and we're snorkeling at Grand Cayman already so I thought Paradise Beach sounded great.

we didn't really make any plans for Key West ~ again none of teh excursions interested me, and I thought I may be able to get in spa time while the ship is in port. Perhaps we'll venture out in the afternoon...we're just going to play it by ear.

And ya know what... Now I have been saying.. next week I go on my cruise and I LOVE the way it sounds!

When I was paying for DH's new tie today at Macy's the clerk commented on my Disney Visa ~ he said he had just returned from a fantastic trip to WDW and I told him "we're going on a Disney cruise next week" and it felt so good!!!

 

[familycruiser]

I am getting nervous about this. Do they ever overbook? I booked a cat. 6 GTY and was told that normally you find out a room # a couple weeks before but we still have no been assigned one. I called Disney and they said they are very full and still waiting to see if there are any cancellations and right now have nothing in any catagory!

I realized that we on the who's going list but did add our names, etc. Monica, Vijay, DD8 - Sarina, DS5 - Samir. They are almost 9 and 6 so are there any other kids their ages? We have late seating but no room # yet, just Cat. 6 GTY. My in laws are also going and in room 5144.

We are getting there on 1/11 also and planning on doing MK on Friday, 1/12. We are doing our own thing in KW, Nativeway's RRR tour in GC, Paradise Beach in Cozumel so far. Have to start packing! Hope the weather is good.

Happy New Year to all of you!

 

[DiaLady]

HI All --

I'm going to have to check with DH which excursions he scheduled. I know for Key West that we were just going to go get some Key Lime Pie and get back on the ship . . . LOL.

DH has things scheduled for GC & Cozumel, but they're all through DCL. Oh, I remember now . . .we're going on some kind of submarine and snorkling for GC and Cozumel is the ruins and then some beach time. Personally I wanted to do the all day Mayan ruins tour, but DH was too concerned about missing the boat. We've seen folks just make it before we pulled out on both of our other cruises.

And ya know what... Now I have been saying.. next week I go on my cruise and I LOVE the way it sounds!!

Thanks for the reminder, Deb. I've gotta start thinking like that . .. I've been busy wrapping up things for our homeschool group (I'm field trip coordinator and webmaster) before we leave (we have a field trip the week after we return!)

The rest of the week will be getting the boy's school work done and notifiying my web design clients that I'll be gone for 10 days. Still have one more website I'd love to wrap up before I leave so there will be a check waiting for me when I get home Oh and somewhere in there we've gotta pack. Today, I bought socks and the magetic paper for the doorsign. Boy is magnetic paper cool! I also bought new Batman toothbrushes as a suprise for the boys. Sometimes it's just the little things . . .LOL

Dparrah . . .thanks for keeping the website updated!! I'll try to remember to print a copy before we head out, too. It would really help with who is who . .

Well back to work for me. . .Can't wait to hear more updates!!

Have a super night!

Theresa

 

[Ginny]

Hi, all!!

I don't know how many are checking the main board as well but just had to share the link below.......................only 11 days from today, those with early seating should be finishing up dinner and heading for the first night's show pretty soon. This is a link to an aerial shot of Castaway Cay:

http://maps.yahoo.com/broadband/#***=s&trf=0&lon=-77.541375&lat=26.087583&mag=2

I just can't wait!!

CUTIE-PIE: I sent an e-mail response! Erin is excited!

CEPMOM: Erin and I brainstormed trying to remember her basket (The Card read from Minnie and Mickey and she was blown away - and much younger, too):

Mickey Towel - Nice one, not cheesy
Binoculars (I requested really nice ones and Shirley found a pair)
Snacks (Assorted)
6 Capri Suns (Tropical)
Sand Toys
Water Toys
Underwater Camera
Regular Camera
Coloring Book
Crayons (24)
Minnie Autograph Book with Pen
Sunglasses

Chuck's included
Beers
Waters
Cigars
Chips and Salsa
Other Snacks
Chocolate Macadamia Nuts
Nice Cheese / Crackers
Can of Nuts


Hope this helps!!

 

[cepmom]

I realized that we on the who's going list but did add our names, etc. Monica, Vijay, DD8 - Sarina, DS5 - Samir. They are almost 9 and 6 so are there any other kids their ages?

my DD's are 9 and 6. They do not know about the cruise yet ~ we plan on surprising the morning that we board, but I'm sure they would love to meet your children at one of the meets.

Ginny ~ thanks for the run down on the baskets. I went back and forth over ordering one, but I really want one now!

 

[skylynx]

Good grief...family cruiser, I can't imagine you'd show up at the port, luggage in hand and be told there's no room at the inn. After all, this isn't like being denied boarding on a plane when there will be another along in an hour or so! I'd be after the DCL rep to tell me 100% for sure that we will be in some "GTY" Category 6 cabin-that's what GTY means, right, guaranteed? Then your worries are just reduced to possibly being in a less desirably located stateroom in your category.

We're going to the Pirate Museum at Key West and plan to redo our Corona and Lime Walking Tour of streets close to the port. I want to get some natural sponges to clean our horsey leather stuff with, and there's a great store for that off Mallory Sq., including a giant man made of sponges. Not something you see everyday. Don't know yet if I'll reprise my role and get into a tussle with a street performer like I did last time...this guy had roped off (literally, with a rope on the ground) about 200 square feet of prime sunset viewing area of the public sidewalks on MS to do his sword swallowing act, and squawked at me (and many other people) when we stepped across the back corner of his "stage" to get to where we could see the sunset without his sorry silhouette blocking it. This was the only thing I didn't like about Key West...the negative attitude we encountered more than a couple of times towards the very "tourists" they depend on for their livelihood. I know they'd really rather we just throw our money overboard and not even get off the ship, but jeez. When we sailed away from Key West the last time, some boaters in the harbor yelled out amplified obscenities when Magic's horn blew. Great for all the kids to hear.

We're renting a Jeep on Grand Cayman...plan to wander around and check out the north side where I stayed at a friend's beach house near Rum Point several times years ago. It got all but decimated by the hurricane, so I'm interested to see how they were able to rebuild it.

Since the ship appears to be so crowded, on Cozumel day I think we'll take a short wander around town to look at the kitsch, then maybe find an available deck chair and sit in it!

We love the days at sea, so we are looking forward to those, too.

I've been bragging about being packed, but there's boxes all over the house filled with Christmas decorations I never got to put up, and a tree that's about to spontaneously combust I need to do something about. So while I'm ahead of the game travel wise, I'm definitely not ready to leave the house in this condition. Glad we have one more weekend to try and get everything done before we go on snow watch. Of course, it's been warm and rainy and completely benign weather wise for days and days. So you know something's coming....

 

[cepmom]

Of course, it's been warm and rainy and completely benign weather wise for days and days. So you know something's coming....

bite your tongue!!!! If we don't talk of bad weather, then everything will be fine! Now ~ get your house in order and no more talk about the "S" word, okay?

 

[cepmom]

just ordered a basket from The Perfect Gift. I did not get a chance to speak with Shirley directly, but spoke with Nona instead who was very helpful and gave me some great suggestions. I can't wait to see it!

 

[DiaLady]

I've been bragging about being packed, but there's boxes all over the house filled with Christmas decorations I never got to put up, and a tree that's about to spontaneously combust I need to do something about. So while I'm ahead of the game travel wise, I'm definitely not ready to leave the house in this condition.

LOL . . well that makes me feel better. . .DH removed the soon to be combustable tree the day after Christmas. Swears we'll never have a live tree again (I had to beg this year). We still have all the boxes and all the Christmas "stuff" in the living room waiting to be sorted and packed away.

Speaking of the "S" word. DH was getting concerned b/c the high for the next few days in the 70's here! Yes, that is a bit odd for SE Virginia weather in December. I'm thankful that there will be just a slight adjustment when we get to FL. However, my friends are beginning to claim that it will only snow when I leave town . . .LOL The way it goes here, the snow will come one day and go the next so we might miss the only snow of the season . . .

ONLY 10 more days until we cruise (and 7 until we head to FL!!)

Have a wonderful day!

 

[sopandbass]

Greetings, Everyone!

Well, it's crunch time here! It was fun to read the last few pages of posts and catch up on all your pre-cruise preparations.

Thank you, pdarrah, for arranging the meeting times and places. We look forward to those and hope to be at some, if not all, of them.

I've got to get moving on door decorations. Has anyone ordered the Bon Voyage decorations through DCL? I was thinking about it but will probably order a basket at The Perfect Gift. We've done that in the past and have been very satisfied. Shirley is great!

I ended up in the hospital for a few days last week so I'm behind in getting ready for our trip. But the doctor said that cruise will be good for me so I'm going for medicinal purposes.

Happy packing, everyone! See you very soon!

Sharon

 

[Bytor01]

Well with all the hold up and the weekend I finally got some mail today and with it came my documents. It's official we are off 10 days and counting.

Tim